“We should fear both of them; namely, getting burnt by temptations, and getting destroyed by the water of corruption. See, fire will not burn you, and water will not destroy you; You pass through fire to water, then pass through water as well. That is why in the sacramental rites, fire is used first, and …
God does not judge the beauty of his work by the charm of the eyes and He does not form the same idea of beauty that we form. What He finds beautiful is what, in its perfection, shows all the fitness of art, and what works toward the usefulness of its purpose. So God, who …
Even if it be disease or poverty… for seen and unseen benefits… and for those which we receive against our will …but also whenever we are either in poverty, or in sicknesses, or are being insulted, then let us intensify our thanksgiving; thanksgiving, I mean, not in words, nor with the tongue, but in deeds …
“Many blessings such as health, shelter, clothing and food you have, yet you never give thanks because you consider them normal matters and take them for granted. But those that are deprived of them are aware of and feel the values of such blessings and if they obtain them, they give a heartfelt thanks. Always …
“What then? Do you command us to live for display and vain glory? Far from it…..but Let your light shine. That is, Let your virtue be great, and the fire abundant, and the light unspeakable. For when virtue is so great, it cannot lie hidden, though its pursuer shade it over ten thousand fold. Present …
